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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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DESC R I P riON 

POMPEIAN 

Ruins, Restorations and Scenes 

KXHIBITKD AT TIT^ 

POMPEIAN NIUSEUM, 

MEMORIAL HALL, FAIRMOUNT PARK. 

(PUBI,I,SHKD KY AUTHORITY OF THE) PARK COMMISSION.) 



REVISED EDITION. >^K 



I 



COPYRIGHT- 
PHILADELPHIA : 

EDWARD STERN & C' 
1890. 




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COPYRIGHTED 6Y 

EDWARD STERN & CO. 

1890. 





OTE. 



In preparing a third edition of the Description of Pompeian 
Ruins, Restorations and Scenes exhibited at the Pompeian Museum, the com- 
piler has endeavored to gratify the oft-expressed desire for fuller information 
as to the objects there illustrated. 

For the guidance of those who wish to consult more detailed descriptions 
than are here offered, a list of works relating to Pompeii will be found on 
page 15. 

The compiler has drawn largely upon Dr. Dyer's Pompeii : Its History, 
buildings and Antiquities, availing himself, at times, of the very words of 
the terse and graphic descriptions with which it abounds. 




HISTOMieAl^ KOTIC£. 



POMPEII, a city of Campania, was built at the mouth of the river Sarnus 
(Same), looking out on the Bay of Naples. It stood at the base of 
Mount Vesuvius, between Herculaneum and Stabiae. Of its early 
history but little is known. (Legend ascribed its foundation to Hercules.) We 
can only safely assert that it was successively occupied by the Etruscans and 
Samnites. The Campanians were conquered by Rome in B. C. 340, but 
Pompeii preserved its independence for some years longer. In B. C. 310, a 
Roman fleet under Publius Cornelius attacked the Pompeian>, but was repulsed. 
Another period of oLscurity follows, and we hear no more of the city until 
the outbreak of the Social or Marsic War, in B. C. 91, by which time it had 
undoubtedly become an ally or tributary of Rome. 

Its delightful situation, it^ genial climate, and its numerous sources of 
recreation, soon attracted to it the wealthier Romans, many of whom, includ- 
ing Cicero, had villas in its suburbs. 

In A. D. 79 occurred that terrific eruption of Vesuvius, which, in one 
day, overwhelmed in irremediable ruin the towns of Pompeii, Herculaneum 
and Stabise. 

Pompeii, from its elevated position, could not have been destroyed by 
lava. It was buried under a mass of calcined pumice stone, — lapillo, as the 
Italians call it, — which descended in such amazing quantities as to form an 
accumulation over the city full twenty feet in depth. Showers of rocks and 
stones were also among the fatal agents of ruin, and the immense volumes of 
water which poured down mixed with the ashes that had already fallen and 
were still suspended in the air, and formed a kind of liquid mud, which flowed 
into and filled the remotest buildings , 



In course of time a small village rose at or near the spot; by and by the 
memory of Pompeii was forgotten ; for centuries, its very site was unknown. 

Thus it remained for sixteen hundred and seventy-six years ; for, although 
indications of its ruins were observed in 1689, the excavations did not com- 
mence until 1755. -^°^ ^^^ ^^ ^y ^^^ eruption alone that the city was covered 
to the present depth, which is from twelve to fourteen feet. Successive layers 
are clearly to be traced, and the lowest bears marks of having been moved, 
whilst the others are untouched, — a plain proof that some time elapsed 
between the deposits, and that the inhabitants had made excavations in search 
of their more valuable property. 

The upper stories of the buildings, which were probably composed of 
word, were either destroyed by the burning lava which fell upon them, or 
forced inward by the weight of the enormous superincumbent mass, or the 
violence with which it descended. 

With this exception, we see a beautiful and once flourishing city, just as 
it existed nearly eighteen centuries ago. 

The buildings stand as they were originally designed, unviolated by time 
or fashion, and, in some instances, memorials of a more impressive character 
bear sad testimony to the suddenness and completeness of the calamity which 
overwhelmed the city. 

The excavations, visited by travellers from all parts of the world, are rirvw 
prosecuted with vigor by the Italian Government, 

The scenes and views in this collection were executed by Signor Cesare 
Uva, of Naples. 



BBSCHIPTIONS 

— OF THE — 

RUINS. RESTORATIONSAI SCENES 



■EXHIBITED IN THE- 



POM PBIAM ©AMBMY^ 

FAIRMOUNT PARK. 



The views of the ruins are taken from the originals by the system of 
Photo- Sculpture invented by the artist, Giacomo Luzzati, originally of the 
Pompeiorama and director of the Royal Calcography of Naples. The views 
of restorations are taken from the plans of the localities, and interpreted ac- 
cording to the architectural remains now existing. 

The collection here exhibited was purchased by our distinguished fellow- 
citizen, the Hon. John Welsh (at the time U. S. Minister at the Court of St. 
James), and by him presented to the Park Commission. 



i' 



MIS. 

FORA, STREETS, HOUSES, TEMPLES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

I . Civic Forum. — A vast area, with porticoes and columns 
at the sides ; its end is opposite to the Temple of Jupiter. 
National assemblies were held there with great pomp, and 
equestrian statues raised to great men. 

6 



7 

Most of the streets of Pompeii led up a considerable 
ascent to the elevated sight of the Forum, which was distant 
about four hundred yards from the Herculaneu>n Gate and 
the Great Theatre. 

2. Triiimplial Arch. 

3. Tribunal. — Formerly called the Curia Isiaca, and the 
"School," an oblong open court, 75 feet long by 57 v/ide^ 
surrounded on three sides by a portico of the Doric order,, 
with two chambers at one end, supposed to be the crypt, 

.and an elevated////////^;;/ for the judge at the side. Its uses 
cannot be accurately determined, but it seems to have been 
the tribunal alluded to in an inscription found in the Greater 
Temple : 

M. M. HOLCOXI. RVFVS FI. CELER 

CRVPTAM. TRIBVNAL. THEATRVM. S.P. 

AD DECVS. COLOXLE. 

[Marcus Holconius Rufus, son of Marcus, built the crypt, tribunal and 
theatre for the honor of the city (Colonia).] 

4. Temple of Mercury. — A pretty temple, opposite the 
Forum, which is now used as a repository for marbles and 
terra-cotta discovered in the excavations, but not deemed 
worthy of a place in the Museum. In the centre of the 
court is an altar of white marble, bearing an unfinished bas- 
relief, which has been imagined to represent Cicero sacri- 
ficing, from a supposed resemblance of the principal figure 
to that great orator. 



8 

5- Temple of Fortime. — A small Corinthian temple, at 
the corner of the street of Fortune and th^ street leading to 
the Forum. It was dedicated to Fortune by Marcus Tullius, 
a private person, supposed to have been a descendant of the 
great Cicero. 

6. House of the Faun. — On the north side of the street 
of Fortune, just beyond the Temple of Fortune, and on the 
other side of the way. It is the most spacious and beautiful 
in Pompeii ; it was discovered in 1830, and excavated in that 
and the following two years. 

On a little base on one of its sides was found the bronze 
statuette of the Dancing Faun, now in the Museum at Na- 
ples, from which the house derives its name. 

7. Edifice of Eumachia. — Erected by the priestess Eu- 
machia, as indicated by the inscription on the door ; its pur- 
pose has not yet been ascertained. It is supposed to have 
been the Exchange. 

8. House of Cornelius Rufus. — A large and handsome 
dwelling, recently excavated. A marble bust of the owner, 
as large as life, of excellent workmanship, and inscribed with 
his name, was discovered in this ruin. 

9. Bake ^Houses and Mills. 

10. Tragic Theatre. — The theatre was erected on tlie 
slope of a hill, the corridor being the highest part, so that 



the audience upon entering descended to their seats, and 
the vast staircases, which conducted to the upper seats of 
the theatre and amphitheatres of Rome, were saved. By the 
side of the first entrance is a staircase which led up to the 
women's gallery above the corridor; here the seats were 
partitioned into compartments, like our boxes. The benches 
were about one foot three inches high and two feet four 
inches wide. One foot three inches and a half were allowed to 
each spectator, as may be ascertained in one part, where the 
divisions are marked off and numbered. There is space to 
contain about five thousand persons. Here the middle 
classes sat, usually upon cushions which they brought with 
them; the men of rank sat in the orchestra below, on chairs 
of state carried thither by their slaves. Flanking the orches- 
tra, and elevated considerably above it, are observable two 
divisions, appropriated, one perhaps to the proconsul, or 
duumvirs and their officers, the other to the vestal virgins 
or to the use of the person who gave the entertainments. 

11. Street of tlie Public Seat. — Near the Herculaneum 
Gate, with a niche for the weary traveller. 

1 2. Street of Tombs. — From the Herculaneum Gate to the 
village Augusto Felice. 

13. General Panorama of Ponipeian Excavations [bird' s- 
eye view). — Taken from nature, from a tower erected for that 
purpose at Pompeii. 



lO 



llestaratiaus. 



14. Restoration of the Civic Forum. — Corresponding tc 
ruin No. i. 

15. Restoration of tJie House of Alconio. — (Excavated in 
1861.) 

16. Restoration of the House of Ariadne. — Known also 
as the House of the Colored Capitals. It derives its first 
name from a picture representing the abandonment of Ari- 
adne ; the other name is taken from the columns of the peri 
style, the capitals of which were painted in bright colors. 
This building is of considerable size and elegance. 

17. Restoration of the House of Marcus Lucretius. (Exca- 
vated in 1847). — One of the richest in sculptures and paint 
ings, and especially remarkable for its elevated gardens, 
ornamented with numerous statues, and pretty fountain. 

In a room of the peristyle was discovered a painting in- 
scribed M. Lucretio Flatn. Martio Decurioni Pompei ; whence 
it has been inferred the house belonged to one Marcus 
Lucretius, a Flamen of Mars and Decuric of Pompeii. 

18. Restoration of the Temple of Fortune. — Correspond- 
ing to ruin No. 5. 

19. Restoration of the House of the Faun. — Correspond- 
ing to ruin No. 6. 



20. Restoration of the House of Fansa. — For regularity 
of plan and extent, one of the most remarkable contained 
within the walls. It was evidently the residence of one of 
the chief men of Pompeii, and from the words PANSAM. 
y^D., painted in red near the principal entrance, but now 
obliterated, has been usually denominated the House of 
Pansa. 

21. Restoration of the House of Cornelius Rufus. — Cor- 
responding to ruin No. 8. 

2 2. The House of the Tragic Poet was excavated in the 
year 1824, and excited universal admiration from the num- 
ber and beauty of its paintings. Of these, some have been 
removed to the Museum at Naples ; the rest have perished^ 
or are perishing. 

23. Restoration of the I ublic Baths. — A vast and elegant 
establishment, separated into two compartments ; the walls 
are decorated with pictures and colored bas-rclicfs. 

Scenes of ^0nipnan f ik 

ERUPTION OF MOUNT VESUVIUS. 

24. A solemn sacrifice at the Temple of Venus. 

White bulls are taken to the altar and sacrified. The 
priests recite prayers, and the people witness with music 
and singing. 



25. Criminal yudguient in the Basilica. — Publius Ame- 
tistus, a young nobleman accused of sacrilege, is taken back to 
prison after the public hearing. The magistrates engrave 
their vote on tablets, and, with hand and arm bare, place it 
in the urn. 

The lawyers' for the defence are within the ring, before 
the statue of Justice. 

Soldiers keep back the crowd. The ladies and people of 
distinction are seated on the balcony. Publius Ametistus is 
condemned to death. 

26. Festival in the House of Arrius Dioinedes. — Large 
building with garden, surrounded by colonnade and corrid- 
ors ; underneath are cellars, in which were found many 
human skeletons. This house is called Diomedes', from the 
tomb discovered close by, bearing the name of Marcus Ar- 
rius Diomedes. 

All that is known of the owner or his family ma)= be 
.ompiled in one sentence, which, short as it is, speaks for- 
cibly to our feelings. Their life was one of luxury and enjoy- 
ment, in the midst of which death came on them by surprise, 
— a death of singular and lingering agony. 

27. Funeral of a Pompeian Noblemayi. 

28. Public Market at the Triangular Forum.— \\\ the area 
comprised within the Forum, the Theatre and the Temple 



13 

of Hercules^ congregate all grades of traders. In the left 
alley, preceded by the priests, many beasts are led to the 
altar to be sacrificed. In front, stand the corn merchants, 
a few jewellers and idol-mongers, also the women who draw 
water at the well. 

29. E Lection of Deputies in the Civic Forum. 

30. Combat of Gladiators in the Amphitheatre. — The 
steps are crowded with spectators; in the first row on the 
left are the nobles and the vestals. In the arena several 
couples of gladiators are fighting at the same time, some 
on horseback and some on foot with swords and shields; 
others with the net and trident. The dead are dragged out 
with hooks. 

The director of the games is leading others to the arena, 
for the fights to come. 

Meanwhile, the life of one who has fallen wounded is 
spared by a signal given by the people, in raising their arms 
and crying : "Non habet!" 

3 1 . Quarrel between the Pompeians and the Nucertans in 
the corridors of the Amphitheatre. 

In the year 59, Livineus Regulus, who had been ban- 
ished from Rome, and had, as it appears, fixed his abode at 
Pompeii, gave in the amphitheatre some grand gladiatorial 
shows, which were attended by the inhabitants of the neigh- 
boring towns. During the exhibition, a quarrel, which orig- 
inated in certain provincial sarcasms, arose between the 



14 

Pompeians and the people of Nuceria. The Nucerians were 
worsted, and carried their complaint before the Emperor 
Nero, who ordered the amphitheatre to be closed for ten 
years. 

In one of its corridors the combatants are fighting and 
crowding ; at the further end are seen the circus and wild 
beasts. 

32. Glaucus in the arena of the Amphitheatre, condemned 
to wrestle zvith a Lion. 

33. Last days of Pompeii (in the street leading to the 
Temple of Fortune). — On the 13th of September, in the 
)'ear 79 of the Christian era, Vesuvius, which was consid- 
ered a volcano extinguished forever, unexpectedly broke out 
in an eruption of flames, scoriae, ashes and boiling water. 
The Pompeians, surprised and terrified, sought refuge in 
flight. Some, lost in the darkness, broken only by the 
lightning, use burning torches which scarcely resist the 
wind ; others are suffocated by the heavy and sulphurous 
atmosphere ; some, trying to get away on chariots, run 
against each other. The temples and houses are trembling; 
the earth shakes ; all is confusion and horror. This terrible 
scene lasted a week, after which Pompeii had disappeared, 
not to come to light again for eighteen centuries. 

34. Last eruption of Mount Vesuvius, April 2 2d, 'y2. — 
Seen from Naples ; taken from the elevation of Posilippo, at 
the celebrated Villa Maggolina. 



Morks |ielating k ^ompeii. 

Adams — The Buried Cities of Campania; i vol., i2mo. London: T. M^^Uou 

& Sons, 1868. 
Barre — Herctilaneum and Pompeii ; 8 vols., 8vo. Didot, Paris. 
Breton — Pompei: Decrite et Dessinee ; 8vo. Paris, 1865. 
Donaldson — Pompeii ; 2 vols. London, 1827. 
Dyer — Pompeii: Its History, Buildings and Antiquities; i vol., 8vo. 

London: Bell & Daldy, 1867. 
Fiorelli — Pofnpeianorum Antiquitatum Historia ; 2 vols., 8vo. 
Gell — PojHpeiana ; two series, 4 vols , 8vo. London, 1824-30. 
GOLDICUTT — Specifuens of Ancient Decorations from Pompeii ; 8vo. London, 

1825. 
Light — J^iews of Po7npeii ; drawn on stone, by J. D. Harding. 4to. London, 

1828. 
Mazois — Les Puines de Pompei ; 4 vols., folio. Paris: Didot, 1812-38. 
MiLLiN — Description des Tombeatix qui ant He Decouvertes a Pompei dans 

PAnnee 1812. 8vo. Paris, 1813. 
MoNNiER — Wonders of Pompeii ; translated from the French. Scribners, N. Y. 
NiCOLiNi — Le Case ed i Monumenti di Pompei, Disegnati e Descritti ; fol. 

Naples, 1864. 
OvERBECK — Po7fipeji,in Seinen Gebanden,Alterthii7?ierti u. Kunstwerken ; 2 

vols. Leipzig : Engelmann 
PiSTOLESi — Antiquities of Herculaneum and Pompeii ; 2 vols., 4to. Naples, 

1842. 
Zahn, W. — Les Plus Beaux Ornements ef les Tableaux les Plus Retnarquab les 

de Po?npei,d'Herculanum et de Stabi(z ; 3 vols., fol. Berlin, 

1828-58. 
Zahn, W. — A'eu Entdeckte Wandgemiilde in Pompei ; fol. Munich. 
Real Museo Borbonnico ; 14 vols., 4to. 
Antichita di Ercolano e Pompei; 9 vols., folio. Naples, 1755-92. 

In Dyer's Pompeii, mentioned above, will be found a list of numerous 
separate works and articles on remarkable Pompeian buildings, tombs, in- 
scriptions, etc. 



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Edward Stern & Co., Prs., Phila. 



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